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  "path": "/blackhawks/2026/03/09/blackhawks-kyle-davidson-trades-waiting-artyom-levshunov",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-09T11:30:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>DALLAS — Blackhawks general manager <b>Kyle Davidson</b> has established a preference for making moves well before the NHL trade deadline, rather than waiting until the last minute.</p><p>He dealt <b>Brandon Hagel</b> three days before the 2022 deadline, dealt <b>Patrick Kane </b>three days before the 2023 deadline and dealt <b>Seth Jones</b> six days before the 2025 deadline.</p><p>All were blockbuster trades with basically only one possible partner, so it seemed logical they would be consummated as soon as they were agreed upon.</p><p>But this year, even when shopping two regular rental players with plenty of suitors, the pattern continued. Davidson again acted quickly, dealing <b>Connor Murphy</b> on Monday and <b>Jason Dickinson</b> on Wednesday before the deadline Friday.</p><p>Why? He gave an interesting explanation Friday.</p><p>‘‘With Murphy and [Dickinson], I wanted to give them an opportunity,’’ Davidson said. ‘‘The last thing I would want is to hold out for a little something more, like this little bit more, and it dry up and they don’t get to experience [the playoffs]. Not that they asked to go out or anything. But in exploring the market, this was a great opportunity for both of them.</p><p>‘‘I’m not big on waiting to wait. If that sets the market, that sets the market, for better or worse. I would rather get a deal done with a return that I’m satisfied with ahead of time than sweat it out. It either goes sideways and you lose something, or you just wait for the sake of waiting.’’</p><p>Critics of Davidson pointed out that while he got a second-round draft pick for Murphy, the Canucks got second- and fourth-round picks two days later for a similar defenseman in <b>Tyler Myers</b>.</p><p>However, the Flyers suffered the opposite fate. They held out for the best offer for another similar defenseman in <b>Rasmus Ristolainen</b> and ended up not trading him (and therefore getting nothing for him).</p><p>It will be interesting to see whether Davidson continues to act early when/if he becomes a buyer in future years.</p><h3>Levshunov stabilizing</h3><p>When asked about defenseman <b>Artyom Levshunov’s</b> up-and-down season so far, it’s not surprising Davidson supported and praised him.</p><p>‘‘When you do something like we did with [him], where we took him out for a number of games — almost had a pseudo-training camp with him — that can go one of two ways,’’ Davidson said. ‘‘[He] dug in. He went full throttle into the development opportunity that was presented. [He did] everything we asked of him.’’</p><p>The individual practice program at least has stabilized Levshunov’s season. He still is making some mistakes, but they’re not as frequent or obvious as they were in late January.</p><p>The Hawks have outscored opponents 3-2 during his five-on-five ice time since the Olympic break. He has also taken on penalty-killing duties for the first time now that Murphy is gone.</p><p>‘‘‘He just looks a lot more settled,’’ Davidson said. ‘‘Some of that is experience. Some of that is [because of his] little time out from a long, grinding season.</p><p>‘‘I’m really excited about the way [he] has trended. When you look at where he was a couple of years ago to where he was a year [ago to now] . . . the arrow is definitely pointed up.’’</p><h3>Notes</h3><p>The Hawks will wear No. 19 patches on the backs of their helmets for the rest of the season to honor late player and broadcaster <b>Troy Murray</b>.</p><p>• <b>Jeff Blashill</b> coached his 600th career NHL game Sunday, becoming the sixth<br>U.S.-born coach to do so.</p>",
  "title": "Why Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson rarely waits for deadline day to make trades",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-09T11:30:02.000Z"
}